PIA Press ReleaseTuesday, January 10, 2012

Regatta 2012 set Jan. 13-14

Regatta committee chairman Khendar Y. Hadjirul in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) said the city is all set for the conduct of this exciting boat race competition .

2012 regatta committee chairman Khendar Y. Hadjirul. (PIA-9)

Regatta is an annual event which features over hundreds of boats afloat, traditionally launched by the city government every year as part of its lined up activities for the annual fiesta celebration called “Pasalamat festival”.

Hadjirul said the program and games are ready to be implemented during this 2-day event - January 13-14, at the port area here.

Hadjirul enumerated the lined up activities for this year’s celebration Regatta as: search for Miss Regatta 2012, regatta games (invitational pump boat race, boat paddling, swimming relay (120 meters), and ball collection at sea. “These activities will be conducted on Friday with the participants not only coming from the coastal barangays but from the neighboring municipalities and cites,” Hadjirul reported.

On Saturday, Hadjirul said a procession, concelebrated mass, fluvial parade/competition, and championship game for pump boat race and awarding prizes will also be done at the venue.

Hadjirul said it’s always been exciting to see many people gathered in the port area adding that they give their valuable time in participating and witnessing the activities.

He said regatta’s goal is to instill the true spirit of sportsmanship and foster better understanding and camaraderie among the participants.

Hadjirul said he feels excited and honored to see people joining the activities. “This is not going to be a stressful event rather this is enjoyable. No stress, no pressure at all,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mayor Samuel Co in his fist press conference for 2012 on Monday evening at the city mayor’s office, he invited people to witness the activities for ‘Pasalamat’ festival especially on the fluvial parade and regatta.

“I am inviting everyone to witness the fluvial parade and regatta activities at the port area. The activities that you will observe are very entertaining. You can watch people sailing the boat accompanying the life-size patron saint Sr. Sto. Nino and playing various games at sea , and more, with fabulous cash prizes at stake,” Co announced.

Co said the regatta committee has allotted prizes for all the activities. He specifically mentioned on the prizes for fluvial parade which has a bigger prizes, as follows: 1st, P20,000, 2nd, 15,000, and 3rd, 10,000.

Hadjirul said the successful planning of the activities is attributed to the active participation of the committee members such as, the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Maritime Police, City Tourism Office, Philippine Red Cross, etc.

Hadjirul also acknowledge the support of the organized radio assistance communication information services (ORACES) thru its president Michale Ganta for being the official communication group that will help monitor the conduct of regatta activities. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian)